Page 20

I shivered, remembering that event I should forget.

Let it go, Kiera. Just let it go.

If only it were that easy. I thought about my mom’s illness. If the human body could release stress that easily, we would all be happy and healthy human beings. Perhaps that was the lesson to living life—to find the perfect balance, find the answers on dealing with stress.

Or hot guys.

I cursed at myself for using my mom’s illness as an analogy for my problems.

Dear God, please forgive me. I’m just having a hard time right now. Please don’t punish my mom for my mistakes.

If life were a photograph, I could tweak it by adding more light, contrast, or by removing things that didn’t fit. But life couldn’t be edited that way.

Stop staring at me.

Stop staring at him,my logical mind countered, irritating me.

I broke the stare and focused on the conversation Bruno was having with Olivia about Steven. Since I was only half-listening, I didn’t catch what they were talking about.

My thoughts were on the attractive woman sitting next to Forrest. Who was she? They seemed close. My stomachknotted every time she touched him. If I kept this up, I’d probably need to go see a doctor.

Not him, of course.

“So what are we going to do?” Nate asked. “I’m already modeling the swimwear. I can’t do the active too. We need a variety of models to showcase the collection.”

“What’s going on?” I asked.

Olivia smirked. “Earth to Kiera. Steven Dulles can’t make it to the shoot. He was injured in a triathlon and won’t be flying in tomorrow.”

“Oh no. I hope he’s okay.” I’d worked with him before. He was a nice guy, and no, I didn’t date him.

Bruno swiped at his phone, his brows bunching together. “All the models we normally use are booked. Fuck.” He placed his phone down just as laughter burst from Forrest’s table.

Apparently, something was extremely funny. The pretty woman rested her head on Forrest’s shoulder, and he smiled at her. My insides twisted. I swore I might end up in the hospital for abnormal intestinal knots.

There was something going on between them. The gestures were too intimate.

Perhaps witnessing this was a good thing for me. I could give up on this longing, wondering, and yearning—all the things I’d never felt for anyone.

I hadn’t dared to admit it until now. He could provoke me with his mere presence. That confused and fascinated me. All those powerful feelings made me feel more alive than I’d ever been. I hadn’t felt anything like this before him.

“Why hadn’t I thought of that?” Bruno rose from his chair, looking hopeful.

“Thought of what?” Nate and Olivia asked simultaneously.

He jerked a chin toward Forrest’s table. Why was it that every time I looked over, Forrest was looking back at me?

“I’ve got the perfect replacement. Let’s hope he doesn’t turn me down.”

Oh no. But . . . No!

Confusion and excitement warred within me. Part of me feared being with him. The other part wanted it so badly. If I worked with him, it would only make it hard for me to eliminate these feelings. I had to move on and not become stuck.

But he’s with someone.

That meant there was no chance for us to be together. It should make things easy, right?No. It only made me jealous of her.

Bruno strode over, greeted the table, and spoke to Forrest. I watched Forrest’s expression, but I couldn’t read his lips. Bruno nodded at the attractive woman sitting beside Forrest and she smiled back. Did he know her, or was he just being a flirt? When Forrest gave all the other women a nod and smile, jealousy overwhelmed me.